Middlethorphe Hall Hotel Review: Stepping Back in Time in Historic York

Located just two miles from historical York’s city centre and set within 20 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel offers the best of both city and country – but you won’t believe it’s beauty until you step through its door. Built in 1699, the property was once the home of the famous diarist, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and today is the property of the National Trust and part of the Historic House Hotels and Pride of Britain group of hotels. In short, this is one of Yorkshire’s best country house hotels and I absolutely fell in love with it during our two night stay.

From the outside, this property truly is just as magnificent as it is on the inside and it’s jam packed with history. Middlethorpe Hall was built for Thomas Barlow, a prosperous master cutler who bought the Middlethorpe estate in 1698 as a bid to establish himself as a country gentleman. Huge grand halls, antiques at every glance and gigantic open fireplaces – just some of the things you can expect from this hotel. It wasn’t until 2008 when Historic House Hotels and all its interests in Middlethorpe Hall became the property of the National Trust, by donation, with all profits benefiting the charity.

A swift check-in later after being greeting by concierge, we climbed the tall spiral staircase to our room and it was even more spectacular than I could have imagined. In fact, I think it was one of my all time favourite rooms from over the past couple of years. If you know me well, you’ll know I love my hotel rooms to be filled with history.

We were staying in one of the main house bedrooms. Beautifully furnished with antiques and hung with original paintings, our room overlooked the garden and the views were stunning. The sun was shining, light was pouring in and it was absolutely silent. The large sash windows and huge four poster bed offer a real wow factor and the mattress is as soft, you’ll never want to get up the next morning. The perfect excuse for breakfast in bed.

The bathroom was perhaps a little small and a little dated, but toiletry products were of the highest quality and I loved all the little extra touches in the room. Fresh flowers, selection of sweet nibbles, home-made shortbread biscuits and solid tea/coffee making facilities. Plus a very good selection of information about York and the surrounding areas. There’s a lot to do around here, so make sure you plan your time accordingly.

Remember I said it was beautiful inside? Well, just look at it! I particularly fell in love with the main hall which was as grand as it was stately. It’s a lovely place to spend an afternoon sipping on a glass of something chilled and if you’re really hungry, it’s the perfect place to indulge in afternoon tea – just like we did. You can read my full afternoon tea review HERE.

Did I mention the grounds were just as stunning as the inside of this property? Looked after by Andrew Leighton who has been working at Middethorpe Hall for over 14 years, this garden feels like it’s endless. The gardens have been extensively restored and replanted since the property was acquired in 1980 and it’s a lovely place to walk or sit with a glass of wine during the afternoon.

There’s a walled kitchen garden to explore which produces an array of herbs, fruit and vegetables – all of which are used by the kitchen. The main feature of the walled kitchen garden however is a mellow brick Dovecote, dating back to 1681 and rescued from dereliction in 1980, which is now used as a wine cellar. To the west of the kitchen garden is the rose garden, walled white garden planted with white flowering plants, Spring garden and then the park and arboretum, which eventually leads through to a magnificent lake.

Breakfast the next morning was absolutely fabulous. I don’t always make time for a morning meal and hold out for lunch, but I couldn’t resist it here and neither should you. Excellent locally sourced produce to order from the menu, but also a continental buffet selection for those who fancy something a little lighter.

We didn’t quite have time to enjoy it, but there is a spa if you do love to indulge a little. It’s just across the road and is as quaint as ever. Built behind the facade of two listed Edwardian cottages, Middlethorpe Spa has three spa treatments rooms, small club room serving drinks and light refreshments, large indoor swimming pool with views onto the enclosed garden, spa bath, steam room and sauna. In the garden outside, in a restored Victorian summer-house is a gymnasium. I only wish we got round to visiting ourselves as it sounds rather magnificent!

For our second evening we had dinner booked in the hotels 2 AA Rosette awarded fine dining restaurant. Set within the most magnificent oak panelled room, the menu is overseen by head chef Ashley Binder and pastry chef Paul Harrison.

Before seating ourselves into the dining room, we sipped on a pre-dinner glass of Champagne in the main hall and tucked into some rather hearty canapés. Service was lovely and the calm and peacefulness of the room made for a great start to the evening.

I didn’t quite know what to expect from the food here, but what I can say is it most certainly deserves more than 2 AA Rosettes as it was one of our favourite meals whilst away. Dining from the tasting menu, we tucked into some of my favourite dishes. The most amazing crab bisque which was so rich and velvety. Rabbit & ham terrine which was full of flavour. Sea bream with potato, parsley and capers and my favourite dish of the evening – aged beef fillet with oxtail bon bon, artichoke and tarragon. All washed down with some rather lovely wine pairings – this is food to get excited about.

For dessert? A cucumber & elderflower sorbet to cleanse our pallet, which was quickly followed by a Yorkshire rhubarb parkin with stem ginger and vanilla. I loved all of the food here so much, but their pastry chef Paul Harrison is a real asset to the team, especially more so when tucking into our other dessert of dark chocolate with salted caramel, milk sorbet and hazelnut crumb. It was utter heaven.

I absolutely loved our stay here at Middlethorpe Hall Hotel and quite honestly I’d love to return back someday, to stay in that magnificent room, indulge in afternoon tea and dine out on head chef Ashley Binder’s cooking. If you’re looking for grandeur, history, decadence and relaxation then this hotel has it all and more. Would we come back? Most definitely!